NAO: Yorkshire duo may clash yet again

YORKSHIRE'S leading duo Nick Matthew and James Willstrop could be set to do battle for the third time in as many events after making it through to the last eight of the North American Open in Richmond, Virginia.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Feb 2010, 17:24 BST
Updated 25th Feb 2010, 18:17 BST

WIllstrop, sixth in the world and seeded seventh for the event, endured a closely-fought tussle with Leeds-based No 12 seed Alister Walker before eventually winning through 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 after 40 minutes.

The 26-year-old, also from Leeds, will now meet fourth seed Gregory Gaultier, from France, who saw off England's Joey Barrington 11-7, 11-3, 11-3.

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Matthew was made to work a bit harder for his place in the last eight, eventually overcoming a dete3rmined effort from Egyptian qualifer Mohammed Abbas 11-13, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7 after nearly an hour's play.

The 29-year-old from Sheffield will now fadce fellow Englishman, Adrian Grant, who benefitted from opponent Karim Darwish, from Egypt, suffering an ankle injury which eventually forced him to concede the match.

Should Matthew overcome Grant, he will face Willstrop in the semi-final - providing the Yorkshireman gets past former world No 1 Gaultier.

Following meetings in the finals of the Swedish Open anbd the Nritish National Championships in the last month - both of which Matthew won - it would be the third successive tournament the two rivals have met in.

Results, 2nd round

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(7] James Willstrop (ENG) bt (12] Alister Walker (ENG) 11-6, 11-5, 11-6 (40m)

(4] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt (15] Joey Barrington (ENG) 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 (32m)

(10] Adrian Grant (ENG) bt (5] Karim Darwish (EGY) 6-11, 6-11, 5-0 ret. (35m)

(2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt (Q] Mohammed Abbas (EGY) 11-13, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7 (54m)

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